`Grim Reaper' visits HRVHS

The Oregon State Police is facilitating the "Every 15 Minutes" program at Hood River Valley High School Thursday and Friday. The anti-drinking/driving program aimed at helping students make better choices, according to OSP. Members of the school's OSSOM (Oregon Student Safety on the Move) club have helped organize the two-day program.

On Thursday at 8:15 a.m., the program begins with classes taught by police officers with the "Grim Reaper" roving around and tapping pre-selected students to pose as "the walking dead" -- representing young people killed in car accidents involving alcohol. Guest speakers also will visit classes, including Smokey Mainwaring, step-father of Trisha Thornton who was killed in January in a speed-racing accident. Thursday's class presentations continue until 1:30 p.m. The "walking dead" students will not go home that night, but will stay at a local hotel by prearrangement.

On Friday at 10 a.m. there is an assembly for juniors and seniors in the auditorium featuring guest speakers and a skit by student actors.